In a significant move aimed at historical justice, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Thursday the formation of a dedicated committee to identify the families of those killed in the Kharsawan police firing of January 1, 1948. The announcement was made during his visit to Shaheed Sthal in Kharsawan, where he paid tributes to the deceased.
Honouring the Legacy of Tribal Martyrs
The primary objective of the newly announced committee is to locate and honour the descendants of the martyrs, ensuring they receive state recognition and benefits. Drawing a parallel, CM Soren stated that the families would be honoured similar to those affected by the Gua police firing in 1980.
"It is the responsibility of the state government to give due honour and benefits to the martyrs’ families," Hemant Soren asserted. He emphasized that the committee's mandate is to ensure no eligible family is excluded from government recognition and welfare schemes designed for the martyrs' descendants.
Delving into a Painful History
The committee is tasked with delving into the historical records to compile a comprehensive list of the victims. The tragic incident occurred when hundreds of tribal people gathered in Kharsawan to strategize for an agitation demanding a separate homeland from Odisha, of which the area was then a part. The assembly was in defiance of prohibitory orders, leading the police to open fire on the crowd, resulting in numerous deaths.
Shaheed Sthal marks the very location where this gathering took place 76 years ago. The state government has set a deadline to identify all the families before the next Shaheed Diwas on January 1, 2027.
A Broader Vision for Tribal Empowerment
Addressing the public gathering, CM Soren connected the past sacrifice to present-day governance. "Our ancestors sacrificed their lives not only to attain statehood but also to protect the land, forest and the water bodies which are close to the heart of the tribals," he remarked.
He also highlighted other pro-tribal initiatives, stating that the draft PESA rules, approved by the state cabinet last month, will empower village committees (gram sabhas) in Scheduled Areas. Furthermore, he urged farmers to explore new avenues of income by installing solar panels in their fields, generating power, and selling it to state discoms.
The event was also attended by Minister Deepak Birua, Singhbhum MP Jobha Majhi, and other leaders who paid their respects to the martyrs.
